With light emitting diodes (LEDs) enjoying somewhat of a surge over the past decade or so, it is clear to see that more and more people are switching their attention towards alternatives to traditional incandescent bulbs.
With energy savings of up to 90%, huge slashes in bills up and down the country and rulings to eliminate older and less green lamps, LEDs are a candidate to be the perfect replacement for many lighting systems.
With just about everything though there is a certain sense of cynicism. This may be especially true for these bulbs though as they appear too good to be true. If you’re on the fence, perhaps reading a few myth-busting points will show you how effective LEDs can be.
1. LEDs Aren’t Practical
Many people may think of these bulbs as tiny plastic lights that aren’t much good for anything other than laser pens and fairy lights.
In reality, some of biggest manufacturers from sectors such as automobiles and electronics are using them to reduce energy wastage. On top of this, they choose LEDs for their shatter resistant and long-lasting properties proving that they are practical for even the biggest of tasks.
2. LEDs Aren’t Affordable
In the past LEDs may have carried much bigger price tags than traditional bulbs and this is something that may play on the mind of those who are watching the purse strings.
As more manufacturers have begun to produce energy efficient lamps, competition has increased and led to a fall in price. They are still a bit more costly than traditional bulbs but with a lifespan of up to 50000 hours, have a considerably lengthier usage time.
3. LEDs Are Basic
Contrary to what some people believe, LEDs can be replacements for almost all types of bulb. From jazzing up living rooms with funky lighting to illuminating world class sports stadia, these lamps come in a huge range of glows, colours and brightness.
In fact, the diversity of the lamps is highlighted by the fact that they are used in everything from gardens to arenas and power indicators to famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building.
4. LEDs Don’t Produce Much Light
On the face of things, the amount of light generated by LED lights and incandescent bulbs may seem something of a mismatch. The numbers game doesn’t seem to favour the newer lamp but the two however are usually measured in different units – LEDs in lumens and traditional bulbs in watts.
With this being said as well as the energy efficiency on offer, a 4W LED is equal to a 20W traditional lamp, instantly proving that the advanced technology offers much more in illumination and energy consumption.
5. LEDs Can’t Work with Dimming Features
Thanks to the warm glow given off by these bulbs, quite a few people see them as perfect parts of a dimmable lighting arrangement. Many others though believe that they cannot be used for such features.
The first LEDs may not have been practical for use as dimmable lights but now nearly every single one is capable of providing more or less brightness on request. That being said however, this doesn’t apply to all bulbs so you should check beforehand if you are planning on using them this way.
Not So Scary after All
Now that a few things have been cleared up, you hopefully understand these misconceptions are just that. If you feel compelled to purchase LEDs you can do so knowing that some of the scarier theories aren’t facts.
You could soon be witnessing the power of these lamps for yourself, safe in the knowledge that they are actually not that bad.
